AVE Renfe Train Review

Here’s something different… a train review! What the what. We took the train from Madrid to Valencia as it was cheaper and speedier. AVE is a high-speed service operated by Renfe (the Spanish train operator). The trains have a real ‘Japan shinkansen’ vibe to them and are definitely speedy monsters. I love the wide nose on the outside and I envision them to be rail dragons.

You can book at the train station but I managed to do it online. Their website isn’t very English friendly but with some Google translate help I blagged my way through. Considering most tourists fly between the cities, it was really nice being amongst locals (and it’s definitely an easier way to travel). The journeys are superfrequent

The inside is very spacious and a 2 vs 2 set up. The seats are quite blocky but give you a lot of room. In terms of ‘perks’ you get a foot rest, bin, tray table and bungee storage. There is ample bag storage above and also at the entrance to each carriage. I don’t remember there being wifi but you do have plugs in between the seats so load up your computer with movies! They have TVs ahead which were playing some Spanish novellas and I managed to nab a free pair of headphones to have a cheeky listen and nod along pretending I could understand. The journey itself was very smooth and you don’t feel like you’re racing along at a ferocious speed. I spent a good while in the cafe area which is set up like a bar with standing tables and beautiful wide windows to see the countryside fly past.